Collapsible wig case



Aug. 29, 1967 w |GOE ET AL 3 3,338,388

COLLAPSIBLE WIG CASE Filed June 5, 1966 2 SheetsSheet 1 Wa/fer B. lgoe ILoffie M. Wash IN VIENTORS Aug. 29, 1967 w. B. lGOE ET AL COLLAPSIBLEWIG CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1966 Wa/fer B. lgae Loffie M.Wash INVENTORS United States Patent 3,338,388 COLLAPSIBLE WIG CASEWalter B. Igoe, 17 Morton St., West Springfield, Mass. 01089, and LottieM. Wash, Ellis St., Westfield, Mass. 01085 Filed June 3, 1966, Ser. No.555,120 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-8) The present invention is concerned with adevice for facilitating the carrying and storage of wigs, and moreparticularly relates to a collapsible wig case capable of being expandedso as to receive and securely hold a fully dressed wig.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a wig casewhich, in its expanded position, is to be of a size capable ofaccommodating a stably positioned upright head form and a full dress wigmounted thereon,

and in its collapsed position, is to present a compact easily handledcase taking up little more than one half of the room of the expandedform thereof.

While it has been noted that many types of boxes are actually used forcarrying wigs, most of such boxes appear to be converted hat boxes, manyof which are of light material that offer little or no protection forthe wig. In addition, a substantial problem arises in providing for asecure mounting of a head form within such boxes and the correspondingdifliculty in retaining the dressed appearance of a contained wig.Further, any box of a size sutlicient to accommodate both a stablymounted head form and a fully dressed wig would necessarily have to bequite bulky. This in turn gives rise to unnecessary storage and carryingproblems once the wig is removed therefrom. Accordingly, it is asignificant intention of the instant invention to provide a casewherein, subsequent to the removal of the wig, the head form can beadjusted therein and the case collapsed to approximately one half of itsfully erected size, this being in conjunction with the provision of, inthe expanded box, a highly stable upright head form and sufiicientstorage room so as to accommodate and protect the dressed wig.

Basically, in achieving the advantages sought in the instant invention,it is contemplated that the wig case include a pair of box-likesections, one of which is telescopically receivable in the other. Bothof these sections are to be of a shape sustaining relatively rigidnature with the larger section including, on opposed sides thereof, afastening element selectively engageable with either of two matingelements on the smaller box so as to lock the upper box in either anexpanded or collapsed position. In addition, a post mounted head form isprovided within the case with the lower box section having a mountingbase for receiving and vertically positioning the head form post whenthe case is expanded, this form and post being positionable on its sidewithin the collapsed case so as to conserve room and allow for thecollapsing of the case.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the case in its expanded position;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the case in its collapsed position;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the upper and lowerbox sections in an exploded position relative to eachother;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view through the expanded caseillustrating a mounted wig therein;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view through a collapsed case;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 66 in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 7-7 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on aplane passing along line 8-8 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional detail taken substan- I tially on a planepassing along line 99 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the fastening unit mounting the lockbar thereon; and

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of one of the keeper mounting fastenerelements.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 20 isused to generally designate the wig case comprising the instantinvention. This wig case basically includes upper and lower rectangularbox-like sections 22 and 24, each constructed of a substantially rigidshape retaining material such as cardboard or the like. The lowersection 24 is of a size so as to be snugly telescoped. within the uppersection 22 and includes. upon a pair of opposed side walls 26, upper andlower fastener elements 28 and 30 which cooperate with a single matingfastener element 32 on the upper or outer box 22 so as to fix the boxportion 22 in either the expanded position of FIGURE 1 or the collapsedposition of FIG- URE 2.

With reference to the fastener elements 28 and 30 on' one of the sides26, it will be noted that these fastener elements consist of a pair ofvertically aligned fiat fastener plates 34 secured, as by rivets 36 orthe like, to the side 26 adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof atapproximately the vertical center thereof. Each of the fastener plates34 is in turn provided with a vertically elongated laterally projectingsleeve or keeper member 38 rigidly afiixed thereto. It'will be notedthat the lower fastening element 30 has the lower end of the plate 34thereof inwardly bent so as to define a flange 40 underlying the bottomof the lower box portion 24 so as to add an additional degree ofrigidity and stability thereto.

The fastener element 32 on the upper box portion 22 also includes a baseplate 42 rigidly affixed to the side wall toward the lower edge thereof.This fastener plate 42 includes a vertically elongated slot 44 thereinwhich is capable of selectively receiving either of the keeper membersor sleeves 38 therethrough upon a telescopic reception of the lowersection 24 within the upper section 22. In addition, a verticallysliding rigid keeper pin 46 is mounted on the plate 42 above the slot 44for selective sliding longitudinally thereacross. The pin 46 is receivedthrough a pair of elongated guide collars 48 fixed to the plate 42 invertical alignment above the slot 44 with an intermediate portion of thekeeper or lockpin 46 being laterally deformed between the guide collars48 so as to define a handle 50 by which the pin can be easilymanipulated. It will also be noted that the lower end of the on thelower section 24, the opposed fastener mounting I side walls aredeflected outward slightly so as to allow for the insertion of eitherthe upper or lower keeper sleeves 38 within the slot 44, after whicheach lockpin 46 is moved downwardly across the slot 44 and through thereceived sleeve 38 so as to effectively lock the sections 22 and 24together in either the expanded or collapsed position. In manipulatingthe pin 46, the handle portion 50 thereof will normally be positionedperpendicularly outward from the box wall. When the pin 46 is in itslocked position, the handle 50 will normally lie fiat against the plate42. With regard to this pin 46, it will be noted that FIGURE 3illustrates the pin fully retracted, FIGURE 10 illustrates the pin 46partially retracted and FIGURES 2 and 6 illustrate the pin 46 in itsfull locking position.

With reference to FIGURES 4, and 9, it will be noted that a raised floor52 is provided within the lower box section 24 in spaced reltaion abovethe bottom 54 thereof. This fioor 52 includes, toward one side of thecenter thereof, a triangular aperture therethrough which defines atriangular well 56 extending down to the bottom 54. This well 56 snugly,although releasably, receives the lower end of the triangular post 58which in turn has a spherical styrofoam head form 60 affixed thereto.This head form 60, when vertically positioned as illustrated in FIG- URE4, mounts the wig 62 which in turn can be fixedly pinned to the headform 60 in light of the specific material, i.e., Styrofoam, utilized forthe head form 60. In view of the substantial height of the combined headform 60 and support post 58 therefor which is required in properlymounting a dressed wig 62, the head form 60 and post 58 must be removedupon a collapsing of the case as illustrated in FIGURE 5 with the headform 60 and post 58 being easily accommodated within the collapsed case20. Inasmuch as the head form 60 is to be removed when collapsing thecase, the utilization of a polygonally shaped post 58 and acorrespondingly shaped receiving well 56 is deemed particularlysignificant in that a positive positioning of the post 58 within thewell 56 is effected and any tendency for the post and head form torotate within the case 20 is eliminated. The significance of providingfor a non-rotational reception of the post 58 will be furtherappreciated from FIGURE 4 wherein it will be noted that the head form 60must be positioned closer to one side of the case 20 so a to accommodatethe mass of hair projecting rearwardly therefrom as compared to therelatively slight amount of projection forwardly from what might beconsidered the face portion of the head form 60.

From the foregoing, unique wig case has been cance is the fact that thecase, in fully capable of stably mounting a dressed wig in a mannerwhich preserves the dressed nature of the wig and affords fullprotection therefor. In addition to this, upon a removal of the wig fromthe case, the wig supporting head form can be quickly disengaged andplaced on its side within the lower box-like section of the case and theupper section of the case subsequently collapsed downwardly so as totelescopically receive substantially the entire lower section with thehead form therein, thus greatly reducing the bulk of the case.Incidently, while not specifically noted supra, it will be appreciatedthat any suitable carrying handle or the like 64 can be provided. Inaddition, while the case has been indicated as being constructed ofcardboard, any other suitable lightweight substantially rigid material,such as metal sheet or plastic can be used, such material necessarilyrequiring the ability of at least a slight degree of flexure so as toengage the appropriate keeper sleeves 38 within the appropriate notches44, this enabling a positive locking of the upper and lower sections toeach other in either the expanded or collapsed position. All of thefastener elements, including the base plates therefor, are to preferablybe constructed of metal so as to withstand repeated opening and closingand maintain the proper alignment necessary for it will be appreciatedthat a highly defined. Of particular signifiits expanded position, is

the insertion of the locking pins 46 within the sleeves 38. Thesubstantially rigid nature of the sections 22 and 24 themselves ofcourse also contribute to the provision of a protective enclosure forthe wig. Further, while the unique fastener construction described suprais deemed particularly desirable for use in the wig case of the instantinvention, it should also be appreciated that, within the scope of theinvention, other suitable positive lock fastening means might be used.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A collapsible wig case comprising (a) a bottom section having a floorand (b) a head form having a base, the longitudinal dimension of theform extending from the outer edge of the base to the other end of theform, being greater than the longest dimension transversely of the form,

(1) said head form base and floor of the bottom section havinginterengageable means for detachably mounting the form in uprightposition on said floor (2) said form in mounted condition extendingupwardly of the side walls of the bottom section in a first position,and in detached condition being insertable within the bottom section fora second position in which the form is longitudinally disposed crosswiseof said floor, and

(c) an upper section having top wall and depending side walls ((1) theside walls of said sections being telescopically related for slida-bleengagement and having fastener means on said side walls for selectivelyand releasably locking the sections together to accommodate said firstand second positions of said form in the bottom section (e) said meansin the said first head form position maintaining said top wall of theupper section in upwardly spaced relation to the top of said head formto accommodate a wig on said form, and in said second head form positionmaintaining a substantially fully collapsed telescopic relation of saidupper and bottom sections.

2. The collapsible wig case of claim 1 wherein said interengageablemeans for detachably mounting the form in an upright position on saidfloor include socket means disposed in the fioor of said bottom sectionand offset from the center of said floor.

3. A collapsible wig case for transporting and storing a wig, said casecomprising:

(a) first and second hollow box sections;

(1) each of said sections being defined by a surrounding wall, a closedend and an open end;

(2) said sections having their open ends disposed towards each other;

(3) said first section being dimensioned to telescopically slide withinsaid second section,

(4) said second section being dimensioned to telescopically receivesubstantially all of said first section,

(b) an upper fastener element disposed on the surrounding wall of saidfirst section adjacent the open end thereof;

(0) a lower fastener element disposed on the surrounding wall of saidfirst section adjacent the closed end thereof;

((1) a mating fastener element disposed on the surrounding wall of saidsecond section adjacent the open end thereof and selectively engagablewitheither of side walls the fastener elements disposed on said firstsection; and

(e) head form means, having a height greater than the height of saidfirst section and a thickness less than the height of said firstsection, selectively positionable in a vertical position and ahorizontal position Within said first section so that said matingfastener element of said second section may only be fastened to saidupper fastener element when said head form means is verticallypositioned in said first section, and said mating fastener element ofsaid second section may be fastened to said lower fastener element whensaid head form is horizontally positioned in said second section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, PrimaryExaminer. J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE WIG CASE COMPRISING (A) A BOTTOM SECTION HAVING A FLOORAND SIDE WALLS (B) A HEAD FROM HAVING A BASE, THE LONGITUDINAL DIMENSIONOF THE FORM EXTENDING FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE BASE TO THE OTHER ENDOF THE FORM, BEING GREATER THAN THE LONGEST DIMENSION TRANSVERSELY OFTHE FORM, (1) SAID HEAD FORM BASE AND FLOOR OF THE BOTTOM SECTION HAVINGINTERENGAGEABLE MEANS FOR DETACHABLY MOUNTING THE FORM IN UPRIGHTPOSITION ON SAID FLOOR (2) SAID FORM IN MOUNTED CONDITION EXTENDINGUPWARDLY OF THE SIDE WALLS OF THE BOTTOM SECTION IN A FIRST POSITION,AND IN DETACHED CONDITION BEING INSERTABLE WITHIN THE BOTTOM SECTION FORA SECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE FORM IS LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED CROSSWISEOF SAID FLOOR, AND (C) AN UPPER SECTION HAVING TOP WALL AND DEPENDINGSIDE WALLS (D) THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID SECTIONS BEING TELESCOPICALLYRELATED FOR SLIDABLE ENGAGEMENT AND HAVING FASTENER MEANS ON SAID SIDEWALLS FOR SELECTIVELY AND RELEASABLY LOCKING THE SECTIONS TOGETHER TOACCOMMODATE SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS OF SAID FORM IN THE BOTTOMSECTION (E) SAID MEANS IN THE SAID FIRST HEAD FORM POSITION MAINTAININGSAID TOP WALL OF THE UPPER SECTION IN UPWARDLY SPACED RELATION TO THETOP OF SAID HEAD FORM TO ACCOMMODATE A WIG ON SAID FORM, AND IN SAIDSECOND HEAD FORM POSITION MAINTAINING A SUBSTANTIALLY FULLY COLLAPSEDTELESCOPIC RELATION OF SAID UPPER AND BOTTOM SECTIONS.